Boost your credit card rewards with your Christmas shopping this year
Is your Christmas shopping list never-ending? The truth is, you’re not alone.
Don’t be intimidated by the “I get all my Christmas shopping done in November” types - their early shopping schedule doesn’t necessarily make them better Christmas shoppers.
You’ve still got plenty of time up your sleeve to cross things off your list, and a whole bunch of chances to prove your shopping savvy by earning some serious rewards points on your credit card.
“Using a rewards card for Christmas shopping can be a great tactic for building up your points stash and adding value to your spend, but it’s all about shopping smart,” Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont said.
“Don’t treat it as an excuse to go on a spending frenzy on the hunt for more points. You have to be realistic about what’s suitable for your budget, and maximise the value of the spending you’re planning to do anyway.”
So if you’re ready to flash your plastic at the checkout this Christmas, here’s how to get the best rewards bang for your Christmas buck.
Use your card whenever you shop
The more you use your rewards credit card, the more points you can rack up. So whether it’s buying gifts, doing the festive grocery shop or buying flights to visit relatives, there are always points to be earned!
Just remember that you don’t want to spend more than you usually would just for the sake of earning points. Make sure your spending fits within your budget and that you are able to pay down the bill in full at the end of the month, or at least have an achievable repayment plan in place (factoring in sometimes steep interest rates!)
Shop at partner businesses
Another key thing to remember when using a rewards credit card for holiday shopping is that heading to certain retailers that are partnered with your rewards program can earn you bonus points. Because, yes you guessed it, that’s where grandma is getting her gift from this year. Do a little bit of homework and map out where buying particular items could earn you bonus points, it may mean doubling or even tripling your points earnings!
Get a supplementary card
If you’re looking to double your rewards points earn, double the amount of cards your have (or triple, if you really feel like it). By applying for a supplementary card that’s linked to your account, you can cash in on other people’s Christmas shopping - get your partner or another family member to use the card for all their purchases too. More spends, more points!
With this tactic, just keep in mind that while you’ll the benefit of extra points, you’ll also be responsible for paying off any spending done on supplementary cards - so only give them to people you trust.
Look for bonus points offers
Got a new rewards card or already in the market for one? Keep an eye out for bonus points offers, which could see you earn a tonne of points straight off the bat. In most cases bonus points offers come with conditions, like spending a certain amount in the first 3 months, but since Christmas is generally a time of heightened spending it may be the perfect time to take advantage and knock out that spend requirement.
If this has got you keen to start earning rewards points, check out these hot bonus points offers.
Rewards Credit Cards 2019
Citi - Rewards - Bonus Points Offer
- 80,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days from card approval
- $49 annual fee in the first year ($149 after)
- 55 interest-free days
If bonus points are what you’re after, the Citi Rewards Platinum Credit Card (Bonus Points) give you plenty of chances to earn them. For customers that apply before 31 January 2020, not only will you receive 80,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 within the first 90 days from the day your card is approved, you can also snag 40,000 additional bonus points after you pay your annual fee in the second year. Not only that, Citi reduces the annual fee by $100 in the first year, to just $49 - imagine what you could do with that in your pocket!
American Express - Velocity Platinum Card
- 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when spend $3,000 on your card within the first 3 months
- 2019 Mozo Experts Choice Awards^ Credit Card Provider of the Year
- 1.25 Velocity Points on $1 regular spends
The American Express Velocity Platinum card has a bit to boast about. Coming from the 2019 Mozo Experts Choice Awards^ Credit Card Provider of the Year, this card could be the perfect way to maximise your points earnings. Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 12 February 2020, are approved and spend $3,000 on your credit card within the first 3 months. And if that’s not enough, on regular spends you can earn 1.25 on every $1 - no wonder this card also took home a 2019 Mozo Experts Choice Award^ for best Velocity Frequent Flyer Premium Credit Card.
ANZ - Frequent Flyer Black
- 120,000 bonus Qantas Points and $275 back when you spend $4,000 in the first three months
- 2019 Mozo Experts Choice Awards^ for best Premium Card Benefits
- 2 Qantas Lounge visits a year
For frequent flyer lovers, the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black could be the rewards card for you. Straight off the bat you could earn 120,000 bonus Qantas Points and $275 back when you spend $4,000 in the first three months. Not only do customers receive 2 Qantas Lounge visits every year, they can earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent up to $7,500 every month, and an extra 1 point per $1 on Qantas products and services in Australia. Just remember that points drop down to 0.5 per $1 after the first $7,500 of the month.
^Find out more about 2019 Mozo Experts Choice Awards for rewards credit cards.
Want to find out more about rewards credit cards? Why not jump over to our rewards cards comparison table.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.